Is it unsafe to drive a C3 with no shims in rear trailing arms?
06-18-2015, 06:24 PM
#1
Racer
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Is it unsafe to drive a C3 with no shims in rear trailing arms?
I just rebuilt the rear suspension on my C3 and replaced the trailing arms with offset aftermarket ones from VanSteel. All the old rusty shims were removed from the front mounting point of the arms. I want to take it in for an alignment and have them replace the shims with new ones. Is it OK to drive it a couple miles this way, slowly?
06-18-2015, 06:32 PM
#2
Le Mans Master
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C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Unsafe? Only if you don't video it.
Your alignment shop will not have the shims, you have to buy them from a vendor.
Install the shims first then drive to the shop.
Your alignment shop will not have the shims, you have to buy them from a vendor.
Install the shims first then drive to the shop.
06-18-2015, 06:35 PM
#3
Racer
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No, put the rusty shims back in for the drive to the alignment shop. I would not drive it without the shims, at the very least you will incur some pretty nasty tire wear.
06-18-2015, 06:49 PM
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06-18-2015, 06:51 PM
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06-18-2015, 06:56 PM
#6
Le Mans Master
The rear may do a little walking around, but if it's a few miles and low speed it should be do-able, I don't think the sky will fall. Better to just jam them in on both sides of the arms as many as you can, at least the alignment won't be changing around as you drive.
06-18-2015, 06:59 PM
#7
Le Mans Master
It's not going to be a death ride like everyone else thinks.
06-18-2015, 07:41 PM
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Melting Slicks<br><img src="/forums/images/ranks/3k-4k.gif" border="0">
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St. Jude Donor '11-'24
Equal per side
I'd put equal amounts on each side. It's a starting point for the shop anyway.
Bob K.
Bob K.
06-18-2015, 07:59 PM
#10
06-19-2015, 02:42 PM
#11
Melting Slicks
FYI, the shims set the rear toe, and a little toe-in is preferred! I would search around the forum for more current alignment specs, both front and rear, and especially for radial tires.
Hope the shop knows how to do a C3....
Hope the shop knows how to do a C3....
Last edited by mikem350; 06-19-2015 at 02:45 PM.
06-19-2015, 03:13 PM
#12
Pro
bashcraft and toobroke are on the money. Drove mine to the alignment shop 5 miles away with no shims, no problem. All you get is some weird 'jinking' as you turn. Nice and easy and you're fine.
Make sure you have the 'slotted' shims to make life easy for your installer otherwise he will cuss and moan a little.
Make sure you have the 'slotted' shims to make life easy for your installer otherwise he will cuss and moan a little.